Gensler - Introduction to Logic

This is a comprehensive Introduction to Logic. It covers:

syllogisms;

informal aspects of reasoning (like meaning and fallacies);

inductive reasoning;

propositional and quantificational logic;

modal, deontic, and belief logic;

the formalization of an ethical theory about the golden rule; and

metalogic, history of logic, deviant logic, and philosophy of logic.

Because of its broad scope, this book can be used for basic logic courses (where teachers can choose from a variety of topics) or more advanced ones (including graduate courses). The teacher manual and the end of both talk about which chapters are suitable for which type of course.

The first Routledge edition came out in 2002. Key features included: (a) clear, direct, concise writing; (b) interesting examples and arguments, often from everyday life or great philosophers; (c) simpler ways to test arguments, including the star test for syllogisms and an easier way to do proofs and refutations; (d) wide scope of materials (likely the widest of any logic text); (e) suitability for self-study and preparation for tests like the LSAT; (f) reasonable price (a third of the cost of some competitors); and (g) the companion LogiCola instructional program (which randomly generates problems, gives feedback on answers, provides help and explanations, and records progress). Im happy with how the first edition has been received, often with lavish praise.

I have made many improvements to this second edition. I have arranged the chapters in a more logical way; so they now go, roughly, from easier to harder material. I added new chapters on history of logic, deviant logic, and philosophy of logic; so the book is even broader in scope than before. I beefed up informal fallacies, added inference to the best explanation, and corrected some typos. I overhauled three difficult sections: on relational translations, belief-logic proofs, and completeness. I did much tweaking of explanations (for example, see the sections on the star test, Venn diagrams, and proofs). I tweaked some exercises. I added an appendix on suggested further readings. I added a real index (previously there was only an index of names); so now its easier to research a topic. And I added a convenient list of rules to the inside covers. I cut two parts that got little use: the appendix on how to download and use LogiCola (the program is now so easy to download and use that this appendix isnt needed) and the glossary (which just repeated definitions from the text). I triedto keep things brief; despite the additions, the book is only 23 pages longer than before. Finally, I did a massive rewrite of the Windows-based LogiCola instructional program (whose source has over 20,000 lines of code which is longer than the book); the new LogiCola is easier to install and update, easier to use, more visually attractive, and improved in many other ways. LogiCola (with a score-processing program, teacher manual, class slides, flash cards, and sample quizzes) can be downloaded for free from either of these Web addresses:

http://www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/lc http://www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415996518

All the supplementary materials are conveniently accessible from LogiColas HELP menu; so I suggest that you just install LogiCola (teachers should check the option to install the score processor too).

I wish to thank all who have somehow contributed to this second edition. I thank the Routledge editorial staff and reviewers, who made good suggestions. I thank my logic students, especially the ones whose puzzled looks forced me to try to make things clearer. And I especially thank the many teachers, students, and self-learners who have e-mailed me about the book and software over the years, often saying things like I love the book and software, but theres one thing that Im having trouble with .... If this second edition is a genuine improvement as I hope and trust that it is then there are a lot of people to thank besides me.